Vietnam

VietnamVietnam

Vietnam- History and Vietnam- History and How the war beganHow the war began

1920’s & 1930’s- Ho Chi Minh began to 1920’s & 1930’s- Ho Chi Minh began to work for independence and studied work for independence and studied communismcommunism

1941- Ho Chi Minh returned to Vietnam1941- Ho Chi Minh returned to Vietnam 1946- French took over Vietnam1946- French took over Vietnam

Ho Chi Minh

Vietnam- History and Vietnam- History and How the war beganHow the war began

Chinese supplied Vietnamese forcesChinese supplied Vietnamese forces US sent supplies to French to prevent the US sent supplies to French to prevent the

domino theorydomino theory May 7, 1954- French surrenderedMay 7, 1954- French surrendered July 1954- Vietnam divided into North July 1954- Vietnam divided into North

Vietnam- communist and South Vietnam- Vietnam- communist and South Vietnam- democraticdemocratic

Conflict between North Vietnam Conflict between North Vietnam and South Vietnamand South Vietnam

South Vietnam’s leader was South Vietnam’s leader was Ngo Dinh DiemNgo Dinh Diem..

North Vietnam’s leader was North Vietnam’s leader was Ho Chi Mihn.Ho Chi Mihn.

While Ho Chi Minh became more and more popular in While Ho Chi Minh became more and more popular in North Vietnam, Ngo Dinh Diem’s corrupt and brutal North Vietnam, Ngo Dinh Diem’s corrupt and brutal leadership began to anger many South Vietnamese.leadership began to anger many South Vietnamese.

By the late 1950s a civil war broke out in South Vietnam.By the late 1950s a civil war broke out in South Vietnam.

And by 1960, Ho Chi Minh expanded the effort to unify And by 1960, Ho Chi Minh expanded the effort to unify North and South Vietnam under a Communist North and South Vietnam under a Communist government.government.

Ho Chi Minh Diem

Growing Conflict in VietnamGrowing Conflict in VietnamVietnam’s LeadersVietnam’s Leaders

Ngo Dinh Diem became the Ngo Dinh Diem became the president of South Vietnam in president of South Vietnam in 1954.1954.

Diem’s government was corrupt, Diem’s government was corrupt, brutal, and unpopular from the brutal, and unpopular from the start.start.

He favored Catholics and the He favored Catholics and the wealthy.wealthy.

Diem cancelled the 1956 election Diem cancelled the 1956 election that would unify Vietnam under that would unify Vietnam under one government.one government.

Ho Chi Minh’s leadership in Ho Chi Minh’s leadership in North Vietnam was totalitarian North Vietnam was totalitarian and repressive.and repressive.

He gave land to peasants, which He gave land to peasants, which made him popular.made him popular.

A Civil WarA Civil War Diem’s opponents in South Diem’s opponents in South

Vietnam began to revolt.Vietnam began to revolt. North Vietnam supplied weapons North Vietnam supplied weapons

to Vietminh rebels in South to Vietminh rebels in South Vietnam.Vietnam.

The Vietminh in South Vietnam The Vietminh in South Vietnam formed the National Liberation formed the National Liberation Front and called their military Front and called their military forces the forces the Vietcong.Vietcong.

The Vietcong assassinated many The Vietcong assassinated many South Vietnamese leaders and South Vietnamese leaders and soon controlled much of the soon controlled much of the countryside.countryside.

In 1960 Ho Chi Minh sent the In 1960 Ho Chi Minh sent the North Vietnamese Army into the North Vietnamese Army into the country to fight with the Vietcong.country to fight with the Vietcong.

U.S. Involvement in VietnamU.S. Involvement in Vietnam Eisenhower

Began sending money and weapons to South VietnamBegan sending money and weapons to South Vietnam U.S. Involvement in Vietnam Military advisors sent to train South U.S. Involvement in Vietnam Military advisors sent to train South

Vietnamese armyVietnamese army Kennedy

Believed in the Domino TheoryBelieved in the Domino Theory Increased the number of military advisors and army special Increased the number of military advisors and army special

forces, or Green Beretsforces, or Green Berets Advisors were not to take part in combat, but many didAdvisors were not to take part in combat, but many did

Johnson Believed an expanded U.S. effort was the only way to prevent a Believed an expanded U.S. effort was the only way to prevent a

Communist victory in Vietnam Communist victory in Vietnam Asked Congress to pass the Tonkin Gulf ResolutionAsked Congress to pass the Tonkin Gulf Resolution

Increasing U.S. InvolvementIncreasing U.S. Involvement

Diem’s OverthrowDiem’s Overthrow Diem’s government continued to Diem’s government continued to

grow more and more unpopular.grow more and more unpopular. He arrested and killed Buddhist He arrested and killed Buddhist

protesters.protesters. U.S. leaders said they would U.S. leaders said they would

withdraw support if Diem did not withdraw support if Diem did not change his ways.change his ways.

Diem refused to change his Diem refused to change his stand against Buddhists, and stand against Buddhists, and the United States began to the United States began to support a plot to overthrow support a plot to overthrow Diem.Diem.

In November 1963 the South In November 1963 the South Vietnamese plotters murdered Vietnamese plotters murdered Diem.Diem.

Tonkin Gulf ResolutionTonkin Gulf Resolution To increase the American To increase the American

military effort in Vietnam, military effort in Vietnam, Johnson needed to obtain Johnson needed to obtain authority from Congress.authority from Congress.

Johnson asked Congress for Johnson asked Congress for this authority claiming that the this authority claiming that the USSUSS Maddox Maddox had been had been attacked by North Vietnamese attacked by North Vietnamese torpedo boats in the Gulf of torpedo boats in the Gulf of Tonkin.Tonkin.

Johnson claimed this attack Johnson claimed this attack was unprovoked, but really the was unprovoked, but really the MaddoxMaddox had been on a spying had been on a spying mission and had fired first.mission and had fired first.

The The Tonkin Gulf ResolutionTonkin Gulf Resolution was passed on August 7.was passed on August 7.

Why did U.S. superiority in the air Why did U.S. superiority in the air war fail to win quickly in Vietnam?war fail to win quickly in Vietnam?

Operation Rolling Thunder A bombing campaign over North Vietnam Bombed military targets—army bases and

airfields—as well as bridges, roads, railways, and power plants

Main target was the Ho Chi Minh Trail


Weapons of the Air War Agent Orange—defoliant, or chemical, that

destroys vegetation Napalm—jellied form of gasoline used to

create firebombs “Cluster bombs”—sprayed sharp metal

fragments when explodedSpreading Agent Orange Napalm

Cluster Bombs


The Air War Bombing did not succeed Flow of goods from North to South Vietnam

actually increased Vietcong repaired bridges, had bunkers

underground, and used weapons from the Soviet Union and China

Difficult Ground War in VietnamDifficult Ground War in Vietnam The number of U.S. ground forces in Vietnam continued to grow.The number of U.S. ground forces in Vietnam continued to grow. U.S. strategy called for ground forces to go on search-and-destroy U.S. strategy called for ground forces to go on search-and-destroy

missions.missions. General General William WestmorelandWilliam Westmoreland commanded the U.S. ground commanded the U.S. ground

troops in South Vietnam.troops in South Vietnam. Ground troops located the enemy and called for air strikes.Ground troops located the enemy and called for air strikes. Areas that were “cleared” rarely remained that way for long.Areas that were “cleared” rarely remained that way for long.

U.S. forces implemented a program of U.S. forces implemented a program of pacificationpacification to “win the to “win the hearts and minds” of the South Vietnamese people.hearts and minds” of the South Vietnamese people.

Nonmilitary pacification involved construction projects.Nonmilitary pacification involved construction projects. Military pacification involved moving people out of their villages Military pacification involved moving people out of their villages

when Vietcong were nearby.when Vietcong were nearby.

Declining Troop MoraleDeclining Troop Morale

American forces in Vietnam faced many challenges.American forces in Vietnam faced many challenges. Vietcong struck and then melted back into the jungleVietcong struck and then melted back into the jungle Vietnamese peasants seemed peaceful during the Vietnamese peasants seemed peaceful during the

day, but at night aided or became Vietcong.day, but at night aided or became Vietcong. Vietcong knew the local geography.Vietcong knew the local geography. Nearly impossible to tell the difference between a Nearly impossible to tell the difference between a

Vietcong fighter and a civilian.Vietcong fighter and a civilian.

Declining Troop MoraleDeclining Troop Morale

Enormous casualties inflicted upon the Enormous casualties inflicted upon the Communist forces did not lead to victory.Communist forces did not lead to victory. With the aid of the Soviet Union and China, With the aid of the Soviet Union and China,

North Vietnam sent a steady stream of North Vietnam sent a steady stream of supplies and soldiers to the South.supplies and soldiers to the South.

Vietcong continued to refill their ranks with Vietcong continued to refill their ranks with civilians.civilians.

U.S. air strikes and the pacification program U.S. air strikes and the pacification program turned many peasants into Vietcong fighters.turned many peasants into Vietcong fighters.

U.S. Forces Mobilize for the WarU.S. Forces Mobilize for the War

More than 2.5 million Americans served in the Vietnam War.

On average, the soldiers who served in Vietnam were slightly younger than the U.S. troops who fought in

Korea and World War II, and not as well educated. At the start of the war, most American troops were

professional soldiers—volunteers who enlisted in the armed forces.

However, the U.S. government came to depend on drafted soldiers.

U.S. Forces MobilizeU.S. Forces MobilizeThe DraftThe Draft

25 percent were excused for 25 percent were excused for health reasons; 30 percent health reasons; 30 percent received deferments, or received deferments, or postponements of service.postponements of service.

College students were deferred, College students were deferred, so men from higher-income so men from higher-income families were less likely to families were less likely to serve. serve.

A high percentage of combat A high percentage of combat soldiers were African soldiers were African Americans.Americans.

A draft lottery began in 1969; A draft lottery began in 1969; the draft ended in 1973.the draft ended in 1973.

3 percent of eligible men 3 percent of eligible men escaped the draft by either escaped the draft by either refusing to register or by leaving refusing to register or by leaving the United States.the United States.

Non-combat PositionsNon-combat Positions

Most Americans in Vietnam Most Americans in Vietnam served in non-combat served in non-combat positions—administration, positions—administration, communications, engineering, communications, engineering, medical care, and medical care, and transportation.transportation.

About 10,000 American About 10,000 American military women served.military women served.

Some 20,000 to 45,000 more Some 20,000 to 45,000 more women worked in civilian women worked in civilian capacities, many as volunteers capacities, many as volunteers for the Red Cross or other for the Red Cross or other humanitarian relief humanitarian relief organizations.organizations.

Public Opinion Regarding the Public Opinion Regarding the Vietnam WarVietnam War

Media’s Impact Reporters and television crews went on patrol

with the soldiers. Television brought scenes of firefights and

burning villages into America’s living rooms. Criticized the government’s reports about the

war


Hawks and Doves Doves—people opposed to the war Hawks—people who supported the war’s

goals Both criticized the war effort. Hawks wanted more troops and bombing. Doves opposed the war for many reasons.


Antiwar Movement Movement attracted a broad range of

participants Much antiwar activity took place on college

campuses. Most vocal group—Students for a Democratic

Society. Antiwar protesters made up a small

percentage of the U.S. population.

Reasons that Doves Opposed the Reasons that Doves Opposed the WarWar

Argued that Vietnam was not crucial to American Argued that Vietnam was not crucial to American national security (Ex. George Kennan)national security (Ex. George Kennan)

Argued that the United States was fighting against the Argued that the United States was fighting against the wishes of a majority of Vietnamese (Ex. Dr. Benjamin wishes of a majority of Vietnamese (Ex. Dr. Benjamin Spock)Spock)

Argued that the war was draining needed resources from Argued that the war was draining needed resources from Great Society programs (Ex. Martin Luther King Jr.)Great Society programs (Ex. Martin Luther King Jr.)

Argued that it was unfair for African Americans to fight Argued that it was unfair for African Americans to fight for democracy in a foreign land when discrimination for democracy in a foreign land when discrimination continued at home (Ex. Civil rights activists)continued at home (Ex. Civil rights activists)

Argued that Johnson’s policies were too extreme (Ex. Argued that Johnson’s policies were too extreme (Ex. J. J. William FulbrightWilliam Fulbright))

The Tet OffensiveThe Tet Offensive

Tet Offensive A series of massive coordinated attacks throughout A series of massive coordinated attacks throughout

South VietnamSouth Vietnam Main Communist offensive began on January 30, Main Communist offensive began on January 30,

1968, at the start of Tet, the Vietnamese New Year.1968, at the start of Tet, the Vietnamese New Year. Some 84,000 Communist soldiers attacked 12 U.S. Some 84,000 Communist soldiers attacked 12 U.S.

military bases and more than 100 cities across South military bases and more than 100 cities across South Vietnam.Vietnam.

Effects of the Tet OffensiveEffects of the Tet Offensive General Westmoreland called the Tet Offensive a decisive General Westmoreland called the Tet Offensive a decisive

defeat for the Communists.defeat for the Communists. The cities taken by the Communists were retaken.The cities taken by the Communists were retaken. About 45,000 enemy soldiers were killed. About 1,100 About 45,000 enemy soldiers were killed. About 1,100

Americans and 2,300 ARVN troops also died.Americans and 2,300 ARVN troops also died. The Communists showed that they were determined to The Communists showed that they were determined to

keep on fighting.keep on fighting. showed that no part of South Vietnam was safe from showed that no part of South Vietnam was safe from

attack.attack. caused many Americans to question whether or not the caused many Americans to question whether or not the

war in Vietnam could be won.war in Vietnam could be won. President Johnson announced that he would not seek President Johnson announced that he would not seek

reelection.reelection.

Effects of the Tet OffensiveEffects of the Tet OffensiveGrowing DoubtsGrowing Doubts

Walter Cronkite broadcast a Walter Cronkite broadcast a television report in which he television report in which he gave his personal assessment gave his personal assessment of the situation in Vietnam.of the situation in Vietnam.

Major national magazines such Major national magazines such as as TimeTime and and NewsweekNewsweek also also expressed doubts about the war expressed doubts about the war and began to call for its end.and began to call for its end.

Public criticism of the Public criticism of the government’s policies grew government’s policies grew louder and more intense.louder and more intense.

Leaders within Johnson’s Leaders within Johnson’s administration began to criticize administration began to criticize Johnson’s policies.Johnson’s policies.

Robert S. McNamaraRobert S. McNamara began to began to seek ways to end the war.seek ways to end the war.

Democratic ChallengersDemocratic Challengers Roughly 3 out of 4 Americans Roughly 3 out of 4 Americans

opposed his policies in opposed his policies in Vietnam.Vietnam.

Minnesota senator Minnesota senator Eugene Eugene McCarthyMcCarthy challenged Johnson challenged Johnson for the Democratic Party’s for the Democratic Party’s nomination.nomination.

New York senator Robert New York senator Robert Kennedy entered the race.Kennedy entered the race.

Shaken by the divisions within Shaken by the divisions within his party, Johnson announced his party, Johnson announced that he would not seek nor that he would not seek nor accept the office of the accept the office of the presidency.presidency.

Searching for SolutionsSearching for Solutions

President Johnson denied General Westmoreland’s request for 206,000 more ground soldiers.

Johnson’s advisors could not come up with the best course for the war strategy.

Robert McNamara suggested limiting the air strikes and reversing the escalation of the war.

Johnson decided to negotiate with the North Vietnamese.

The Paris peace talks stalled over two issues: the United States wanted all NVA troops out of South Vietnam, and North Vietnam would not accept a temporary South Vietnam government that included a U.S.-backed president

The Election of 1968The Election of 1968

The Democratic Primary FightThe Democratic Primary Fight Vice President Hubert Humphrey entered the race Vice President Hubert Humphrey entered the race

and defended the administration’s policies in Vietnam.and defended the administration’s policies in Vietnam.

• Senator Eugene McCarthy called for a rapid end to Senator Eugene McCarthy called for a rapid end to the war.the war.

• Senator Robert Kennedy also called for an end to Senator Robert Kennedy also called for an end to the war and won primaries in Indiana, Nebraska, the war and won primaries in Indiana, Nebraska, and California.and California.

Kennedy was shot leaving a Las Vegas hotel Kennedy was shot leaving a Las Vegas hotel by Sirhan Sirhan, a Jordanian immigrant who by Sirhan Sirhan, a Jordanian immigrant who didn’t like Kennedy’s support for Israel.didn’t like Kennedy’s support for Israel.

The Election of 1968The Election of 1968The CampaignThe Campaign

Richard Nixon led the polls for Richard Nixon led the polls for most of the campaign.most of the campaign.

Hubert Humphrey made gains Hubert Humphrey made gains when he said the bombing in when he said the bombing in Vietnam should be stopped Vietnam should be stopped and that the South Vietnamese and that the South Vietnamese should shoulder more of the should shoulder more of the war’s responsibilities.war’s responsibilities.

The peace talks in Paris made The peace talks in Paris made some progress when the North some progress when the North Vietnamese agreed to include Vietnamese agreed to include South Vietnamese South Vietnamese representatives.representatives.

Johnson announced an end to Johnson announced an end to the bombing in Vietnam a few the bombing in Vietnam a few days before the electiondays before the election

The ResultsThe Results The election was very close—The election was very close—

just 510,000 votes separated just 510,000 votes separated Nixon and Humphrey.Nixon and Humphrey.

Nixon won 43.4 percent of the Nixon won 43.4 percent of the votes cast to Humphrey’s 42.7 votes cast to Humphrey’s 42.7 percent.percent.

Nixon won 301 electoral votes Nixon won 301 electoral votes to Humphrey’s 191.to Humphrey’s 191.

Nixon’s electoral margin Nixon’s electoral margin provided him with a mandate provided him with a mandate to rule that allowed him to to rule that allowed him to escalate the war in Vietnamescalate the war in Vietnam..

How did President Nixon’s policies How did President Nixon’s policies widen U.S. involvement in the war?widen U.S. involvement in the war?

During his 1968 campaign, Nixon pledged to end the war During his 1968 campaign, Nixon pledged to end the war in Vietnam.in Vietnam.

Nixon and his National Security Advisor Nixon and his National Security Advisor Henry Henry KissingerKissinger devised plans to end the war. devised plans to end the war.

In 1969 Kissinger began secret peace negotiations in In 1969 Kissinger began secret peace negotiations in Paris with North Vietnamese revolutionary Le Duc Tho.Paris with North Vietnamese revolutionary Le Duc Tho.

The U.S. strategy aimed at achieving “peace with honor.”The U.S. strategy aimed at achieving “peace with honor.”

VietnamizationVietnamization

Laos and CambodiaLaos and Cambodia

Widening the WarWidening the WarVietnamizationVietnamization

Strategy of turning over more of Strategy of turning over more of the fighting in Vietnam to the the fighting in Vietnam to the South Vietnamese while South Vietnamese while gradually bringing U.S. ground gradually bringing U.S. ground troops hometroops home

Nixon hoped this would give Nixon hoped this would give South Vietnamese leaders time South Vietnamese leaders time to create a stable, non-to create a stable, non-Communist government.Communist government.

Nixon began to slowly withdraw Nixon began to slowly withdraw U.S. forces from South Vietnam.U.S. forces from South Vietnam.

Antiwar activists opposed the Antiwar activists opposed the plan calling for an immediate end plan calling for an immediate end to the war.to the war.

Nixon believed he had the Nixon believed he had the backing of the backing of the silent majoritysilent majority of of Americans.Americans.

Laos and CambodiaLaos and Cambodia At the same time, Nixon was At the same time, Nixon was

secretly expanding the war.secretly expanding the war. He ordered the bombing of He ordered the bombing of

Cambodia to disrupt the flow of Cambodia to disrupt the flow of supplies on the Ho Chi Minh trail.supplies on the Ho Chi Minh trail.

Concealed the air strikes from Concealed the air strikes from the American people—including the American people—including members of Congressmembers of Congress

Sent U.S. and ARVN troops into Sent U.S. and ARVN troops into Cambodia and into Laos to Cambodia and into Laos to destroy North Vietnamese army destroy North Vietnamese army basesbases

Renewed bombing of North Renewed bombing of North VietnamVietnam

Nixon hoped to force North Nixon hoped to force North Vietnam to seek peace.Vietnam to seek peace.

War ProtestsWar Protests

In 1970 Nixon announced that he had ordered troops In 1970 Nixon announced that he had ordered troops into Cambodia.into Cambodia.

Antiwar protests intensified—especially on college Antiwar protests intensified—especially on college campuses.campuses.

Antiwar protests erupted into violence.Antiwar protests erupted into violence. Nixon believed that antiwar protesters represented only Nixon believed that antiwar protesters represented only

a minority of Americans.a minority of Americans. Radical antiwar groups turned to violent measures to Radical antiwar groups turned to violent measures to

oppose the war.oppose the war. More and more Americans began to oppose the war More and more Americans began to oppose the war

when they learned about the when they learned about the My Lai massacreMy Lai massacre and the and the Pentagon PapersPentagon Papers..

Increasing ProtestsIncreasing Protests

Campus Violence Kent State University in Ohio

• 4 students were killed and 9 injured Jackson State College in Mississippi

• 2 students were killed and 9 wounded


Antiwar Movement Polls showed that fifty percent of Americans

opposed the war. Coalition of clergy, trade unionists, and

veterans established a nationwide day of protest called Moratorium Day.

250,000 protesters made up the largest antiwar demonstration in U.S. history.


Radical Protests Some antiwar groups turned to violent

measures. The Weathermen set off more than 5,000

bombs and carried out the Days of Rage. Most antiwar protesters did not support

extremist groups or terrorist measures.

Increasing ProtestsIncreasing ProtestsMy Lai MassacreMy Lai Massacre

Troops under Lieutenant Troops under Lieutenant William Calley killed at least William Calley killed at least 450 men, women, and children 450 men, women, and children in the village of My Lai while on in the village of My Lai while on a search-and-destroy mission.a search-and-destroy mission.

No Vietcong were found in the No Vietcong were found in the village.village.

The My Lai massacre was kept The My Lai massacre was kept quiet at first, but former quiet at first, but former soldiers began talking about it.soldiers began talking about it.

This atrocity intensified the This atrocity intensified the divisions between war divisions between war supporters and opponents.supporters and opponents.

Calley was convicted of murder Calley was convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison; and sentenced to life in prison; he was paroled in 1974.he was paroled in 1974.

Pentagon PapersPentagon Papers A collection of secret A collection of secret

government documents that government documents that traced the history of U.S. traced the history of U.S. military involvement in Vietnam military involvement in Vietnam since the Truman yearssince the Truman years

Revealed that government Revealed that government officials had been misleading officials had been misleading the American people about the the American people about the war for yearswar for years

Daniel Ellsberg leaked the Daniel Ellsberg leaked the papers to the press.papers to the press.

Ellsberg originally supported Ellsberg originally supported the war, but then concluded the war, but then concluded that few South Vietnamese that few South Vietnamese civilians supported the U.S.-civilians supported the U.S.-backed government.backed government.

U.S. Involvement in Vietnam EndsU.S. Involvement in Vietnam Ends

George McGovern Senator from South Dakota who criticized warSenator from South Dakota who criticized war

Insisted that the Vietnam War be brought to an Insisted that the Vietnam War be brought to an immediate endimmediate end


26th Amendment Lowered the voting age from 21 to 18Lowered the voting age from 21 to 18

McGovern hoped the ratification of this amendment McGovern hoped the ratification of this amendment would boost his election chances.would boost his election chances.


1972 Election Nixon stressed law and order at home and told voters Nixon stressed law and order at home and told voters

he would end the war.he would end the war.

Kissinger announced a breakthrough in the peace Kissinger announced a breakthrough in the peace talks just weeks before the election.talks just weeks before the election.

The announcement helped Nixon win by a landslide.The announcement helped Nixon win by a landslide.

A Peace AgreementA Peace Agreement

Nixon tried to force North Vietnam to make peace concessions by ordering the so-called Christmas bombing. It failed to work.

Officials from North Vietnam, South Vietnam, and the United States finally reached an agreement in January 1973.

The United States agreed to withdraw all of its troops and help rebuild Vietnam. Both sides agreed to release all prisoners of war.

The agreement did not settle the political future of South Vietnam—the key issue behind the war from the start.

The Vietnam War’s LegacyThe Vietnam War’s Legacy Two years after U.S. troops were withdrawn, North Two years after U.S. troops were withdrawn, North

Vietnamese troops invaded South Vietnam.Vietnamese troops invaded South Vietnam. After a short amount of fighting, South Vietnam surrendered.After a short amount of fighting, South Vietnam surrendered.

The U.S. military rushed to evacuate Americans still The U.S. military rushed to evacuate Americans still working in Saigon.working in Saigon.

Some 130,000 South Vietnamese were also evacuated Some 130,000 South Vietnamese were also evacuated and flown to the United States.and flown to the United States.

After two decades of “temporary” division, Vietnam was After two decades of “temporary” division, Vietnam was reunited under a Communist government.reunited under a Communist government.

In 1975, Communist forces called the Khmer Rouge gained In 1975, Communist forces called the Khmer Rouge gained control of Cambodia.control of Cambodia. Vietnam forces invaded Cambodia in 1979, overthrew the Vietnam forces invaded Cambodia in 1979, overthrew the

Khmer Rouge, and occupied the country till 1989.Khmer Rouge, and occupied the country till 1989.

The Legacy of the WarThe Legacy of the War

Southeast Asia 635,000 South Vietnamese died; Vietcong

and NVA war dead equaled 1 million Severe environmental damage from bombs

and defoliants More than 1.5 million South Vietnamese fled

the country after the fall of Saigon.


Veterans 58,000 Americans were killed; 600 were held

as POWs; 2,500 soldiers reported MIA; 300,000 wounded

Experienced a negative reception upon return Trouble readjusting to civilian life (post-

traumatic stress disorder)


Political Impact United States failed to prevent Communists

from taking over South Vietnam. Spent more than $150 billion on the war Changed how many Americans viewed

government Congress passed the War Powers Act in

1973.

Vietnam

Documents

Transcript of Vietnam